Covering the palapa

Just want one more year out of it before I probably replace it with lamina. It was great while it lasted but this is only year 3. So I put up the blue tarp (lona) a couple weeks ago and a gust of wind blew it apart. Someone suggested that the silver/grey tarps are stronger so I picked one up at El Pollo hardware. I was getting ready to put the new one up when it suddenly started to rain with thunder and lightning. That is a tricky enough project without the extra complications .... so until later or another day.

Most of this type of palapa installation are attached with twine but these guys nailed them down. Not looking forward to stripping it down to the frame next fall. Also have to look into the angle of the ridge covering piece of lamina because the inside angle is less than 90 degrees. Thin metal should be flexible. 

What's left will stay there

Corners and sides are stronger but the body of it ??

Later in the afternoon

Wouldn't say it went up easy but .....

Tie these to the front corners, toss on each side and pull from below

Better than trying to ride the palapa like a horse or a monster ladder

Three house projects

I consider these finishing touches to a house that began very simple and not all that well planned. The largest is the awning (marquesina) along the house that will help keep rain away from doors and windows. Oscar is up there now filling the joints between the awning and the house that they had to cut out to attach it.

The second is a palapa over the ugly block of cement that covers the cistern in the middle of the yard. The four posts (castillos) are up and the palapa builder will be here next week to build the wood structure that sits on top. Gonna use the long palapas rather than the royal palm that is very much more expensive. He says with the right pitch and placed close together it should be good for 5 years. We'll see.

The third project is to replace a jury-rigged lamina roof that was over the outside wash and pump area. It will extend out 5 meters rather than the 1.5 meters of the old one. Will be much better protection for the area, equipment and can act as a partial garage. One column of the same type used above and two cement cross supports (vegas) that they just poured this morning.

Posts for palapa, house awning and lamina supports

New lamina supports for utility area

Soon to be covered with a palapa

Another view of the house awning

Marquesina

The weather has been good, a little too hot actually. It has allowed the guys to stucco the inside of the roof wall an build two marquesinas (awnings) over windows and doors. The large awning below on the side of the house and a smaller one over two windows in front. I just finished painting them this last weekend.

Besides providing a little bit of shade the marquesina stops water from running down the wall and in the doors and windows. Typical Mexican construction usually the roof is extended for the overhang. Eventually I'm hoping to cover the walkway with a lamina roof tucked under the marquesina so I won't have to seal the lamina against the house.

The storm windows I made a few weeks ago work well and I guess I could have taken the plastic tarp off the door for the foto ... but what the heck. The tarp is to stop wind blown rain

Marquesina and storm windows

Stuccoed roof wall

Yard and pump house from above